An 4-month journey — November 22 to February 14
Alchemizing the Shadow
Four months exploring the death process of the systems within us that perpetuate harm — within ourselves, in our relationships, and in the world.
𓋹 — the soul's descent, where the spark of creation is found.
All with the guidance of the Ancient Egyptian journey into the underworld, the Duat — the soul's journey through rebirth, the world of the shadows, where the spark of creation is found.
I. DESCENDING INTO THE DUAT
THE VESSEL
The Duat is the soul's journey through rebirth.
We begin with ceremony to descend into the underworld, connecting with the land, the elements and the ancestors as they support us on this journey. We create space to explore your relationship with your heart — the guide to alchemy — and whatever arises as this journey can be one of challenge.
Together we will explore our own individual shadows and the ways they perpetuate collective belief systems rooted in fear. How are we complicit? It is only through seeing this that we give ourselves choice to do something more in alignment with, and in service to, humanity.
We meet the shadow as alchemists — through our bodies — so we can learn the tools to embody a truer expression of our souls.
The body is the ceremony.
The body is where we experience ceremony. It is through the body that we meet the wisdom of our soul. The body holds the ancient, and it must be honored. We follow the guidance of Anput and sit in ceremony with the body before we attempt the transformation. Tend the body. Tend the breath. Tend the heart that holds the fire.
We must be in reverence and connection before descending.
II. WHAT IS ALCHEMIZING THE SHADOW
Breaking it down to feel the gold within.
You will learn what the shadow is, how it is formed, and where it reveals itself in your life. You will also meet your true expression and begin to relate with these aspects of yourself.
When we make space and create the right conditions to meet the shadow, we can break it down to feel and see the ways it expresses itself — and why. By being in its full expression, we alchemize.
We prepare for this journey into the underworld with all the tools an alchemist needs: proper preparation of the body, connection to the ancestors, wisdom of the elements, and a strengthened relationship with the original alchemist — the heart.
As we reveal the true expression of ourselves, we bring this gold — the medicine — forward. Developing new neural pathways, beginning to embody the soul wisdom held within.
𓂀 — Carved into stone, carried in the body, remembered by the soul.
III. WHY SHADOW ALCHEMY MATTERS
Our collective shadows are being revealed for a reason.
Most of us don't know our shadows are present, or how much space they take in our lives. We push them down, away. This only makes the shadow take a greater hold — until we find ourselves continuously acting from a place rooted in wounding.
When we alchemize the shadow, we see beyond its role and explore the ways it is reinforced by ancestral, cultural, and societal patterns. Helping us see — this isn't just ours.
It is time to act from a place aligned with your truest soul expression — not the wounding.
Our collective shadows are being broadcast on our screens. Each of us has a role in perpetuating them. It is our responsibility to take accountability — to begin to change them by changing the patterns within ourselves, then in relationships, then in our communities. So new creation can take form. And there’s no better way to do this than to do it together.
ANPUT (ANUBIS)
THE SPIRAL
Descent is not linear.
Together we move spiraling inward and outward — meeting the same shadow at different levels, recognizing the pattern, expressing another layer. Each movement helps us remember, retrieve, and reclaim our soul wisdom. Bringing us closer to ourselves and to each other.
IV. STRUCTURE & FORMAT
We meet bi-weekly through the winter
The first three sessions are focused on tending and preparing — we cannot dive into the deep end without acknowledging the significance of this journey. Being in ceremony with the body, attuning to the land, and tending to the heart. This is why the first 3 weeks we will meet on a weekly basis.
Before week three, each of you will meet privately with Mona to create your timeline and get clarity on your unique theology. This will reveal the shadow you will work with throughout the program.
From there, each session works with shadow and true expression through the elemental, ancestral, and cultural/collective lenses. There is an option to join on the Sundays between sessions to share and practice together.
Each of you will be provided with beautiful and intentional herbal packages made by a dear friend, Masoud, to support us along this journey.
Work with Masoud
Masoud is so excited and warmed to craft custom herbal remedies that will pair with the four parts of the Shadow Alchemy journey. Each remedy will serve as an anchor and ally as you move through the different phases of the journey. Maz’s herbal practices are rooted in bioregional and diasporic herbalism. Masoud is currently based on Lenape lands (Philadelphia), and will be creating medicines from this region and the Northeast of Turtle Island (U.S.), alongside channeling the plants that have carried their people through time in the SWANA regions.
You can follow Masoud’s work through B’samim Apothecary (@bsamim.apothecary) and Hawthorn’s Brood Apothecary Co-op (@hawthornsbrood). If you happen to be local to Philly, please go visit Maz in person at Hawthorn’s Brood!
To schedule 1:1 herbal care sessions or to connect more, email them at: bsamim.apothecary@gmail.com
V. WHO IS THIS JOURNEY FOR
WHO IS THIS FOR
This journey is for anyone who is tired of repeating the same patterns, or feeling stuck or caged in their wounding.
It is for those wanting to remember, reclaim, and embody their unique medicine.
It is for those who are willing to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, knowing that that is what will move us out of collective stagnation.
It is for people who already have spiritual and mindfulness practices in place and are looking to deepen and expand their practice.
It is for those who see the collective shadows revealing themselves and feel themselves being called into the alchemy.
This is for those who are committed to the journey of embodying the wisdom of their souls, over and over again.
VI. WHAT’S INCLUDED
SUPPORT ON THE JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION
PERSONAL SESSIONS
Each of you will have a 1:1 session with Mona to define your timeline, reveal your unique theology, and reveal the shadow you will work with during this journey.
HERBAL PACKAGE
An herbal support package will be mailed to you so you may connect with the earth and elements to help you deepen into the exploration of your shadow.
OPTIONAL BETWEEN SESSION CONNECTION
It’s great being in the learning together, but I find what helps us integrate and feel more connected to each other is getting to practice and share together. There will be gatherings each Sunday between sessions for us to do just that.
VII. INVESTMENT
together, we become
WHEN
EVERY other Sunday, NovemBER 22 - February 14
12:00 pm EST
Please come with a journal, a candle to light, fragrant oils for the body, and some kind of flowers. These will be your altar and your tools as we move through this experience together.
INVESTMENT
Payment installments are available
$550
VIII. MEET YOUR GUIDE
Mona Abutaleb
Mona is an alchemist and practitioner of integrity. She walks the earth embodying the connection and balance between the underworld — subconscious, waters — and the waking world — conscious, earth. She is a weaver of webs between both worlds in her work with clients one on one as well as in group facilitation.
She trusts that healing always happens in community, no matter how hyper-individuated society gets. What moves her is curiosity and a belief that sacred wisdom is held within our bodies — and that this wisdom guides us to live in integrity with our soul, so we can act in integrity with the new way of the world.
She works through earth and body-based practices, guided by ancient Egyptian mythology and elemental shadow work. As a Somatic Therapist, her practice focuses on touch and the power of co-regulation. Mona owes her practice to her body, her ancestors before her, her immigrant family, and the teachers she's had the privilege to learn from.
Currently living on her ancestral lands in Cairo, Egypt.
THE THRESHOLD
Descend with us.
November 22 — February 14. Eight weeks.